Respite Services for Older People: Award of Contracts

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A decision made 16 December 2011 regarding:

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2011-0059
Decision Summary Title :	Decision to Award Contracts For Nursing Respite Services for Older People		Date of Decision Summary:	13 December 2011
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Nursing and Operations Older Peoples Services		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Service Specifications		Date of Written Report:	13 December 2011
Written Report Author:	Head of Nursing and Operations Older Peoples Services		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Exempt 3.2.1 (a)(xi)
Subject: Decision to award contracts for nursing respite services for older people as part of service redesign.
Decision(s): The Minister has decided that the Managing Director of Community and Social Services should enter into new contracts and service level agreements relating to the provision of nursing respite services for older people, as per attached service specifications. These contracts are with three different providers and will commence from the date of signature. This Ministerial Decision rescinds MD-HSS-2011-0043 signed by the Minister on 28 November 2011.
Reason(s) for decision: Previous provision of Nursing respite has been via one service provider within care home setting. The combination of these three new contracts, in place of existing contract, will offer both residential respite in care home settings and services delivered in users own homes. Redesigning provision in this way will: - Provide increased flexibility for emergency care and respite at home - Provide more options in relation to differing needs particularly in relation to providing care givers a break by enabling ongoing care to be delivered within the service user’s home.
Resource Implications: The new services are contracted within existing budget provision. No additional expenditure will be incurred as a result of contracting service across three different providers, as opposed to just using one provider.
Action required: Contracts and service level agreements to be signed by provider and the Managing Director Community and Social Services on behalf of the Minister.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):